Traditional Assam Jewellery ( 62 )

One of the seven North-Eastern states of India, Assam is abundant with natural beauty and resources and the people of the land are completely in awe and inspired by it. Assamese Jewellery is typically a true embodiment of nature's treasures gifted to the humankind. The animals, trees, flowers, and musical instruments are some of the vivid and popular design inspirations that can be seen in the way jewellery is created in Assam. The pieces created by the designers are evergreen and statement ones by themselves. These can be worn by anyone in any season and with almost anything. Some of the designs are so exclusive that they can only be made and found in Assam.
In the ancient age, different kinds of metals such as gold, copper, silver, brass, amber and ivory were used. Even though the traditional jewellery of Assam is simple and elegant yet the usage of precious gemstones like ruby, sapphire, emeralds, etc. are also seen in the makes of the jewels. The colour themes which can be commonly seen in the Assamese jewellery is of red, green and black enamelling over gold jewellery.
These are some of the most unique jewellery designs known from this region:
1. Loka Paro - There are two pigeons designs back to back and embellished with rubies in gold. Only the royals from Ahom dynasty could initially wear this type of jewellery.
2. Jon Biri - This is a crescent moon shaped pendant and earrings that are made with gold and decorated with rubies. There's enamel coating used on the back of the pendant and the earrings.
3. Dholbiri - Inspired by the special musical instrument, a drum-shaped pendant is created again using enamel and red and green colours.
4. Golpata - The traditional design from Assam of this is a choker neckpiece which has beautiful and intricate floral designs over the creation.
5. Pepa - Another musical instrument which seems to be the inspiration behind this jewellery is a hornpipe. It is generally made with the horn of a buffalo.
6. Gam Kharu - These are the Assamese version of broad bracelets or the cuffs that everyone wears. Initially, these were worn only by males but even females have started wearing these on different occasions. The design of these have interesting carvings over them. The important events when these are worn by women are Bihu festival, weddings, etc. Silver Gam kharus were also worn by men in the earlier times.
7. Thuriya - These are a type of earrings which are worn only by the older women in Assam. These are distinctive in design because these are embellished with special gemstones studs in the design.
8. Kerumoni - Gold earrings, a special kind of ornament which was popularly worn by the locals, is now also used as pendant design to suffice the modern tastes of the people.
9. Dugdugi - A beautiful heart-shaped locket or pendant, ring and earrings are created which is a favourite amongst the masses in Assam. However, no one knows where the interesting name came from.